The Unintended Negative Consequences of Exposure to Violent Video Games

Computer technology has revolutionized a wide variety of tasks from communication and scientific calculations to entertainment and education. However, any new tool or technology may be misused or may create unintended negative consequences. In the case of video games, technology has seen considerable success in entertaining users and teaching specific content However, what they teach depends upon their content, regardless of the intent of the game creators or the end users. In the case of violent video games, research has demonstrated conclusively that these games can have deleterious effects on the user. Regardless of the research design (e.g., crosssectional or experimental) and outcome measures used (e.g., anger, aggressive thoughts, or aggressive behavior), research consistently shows that violent video games can increase aggression. Children and young adults, males and females, high aggressive and low aggression people are all susceptible to increases in aggression, after even short exposures to violent video games. Key Terms: violence, video games, aggression, consequence